Carol Joseph on $140k bail for 14 fraud offences

Carol Joseph, a member of the People’s National Congress (PNC), was on Wednesday, charged with 14 fraud offences by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU).

It is alleged that as the Director of the Mahaica Abary Rice Development Scheme (MARDS), she approved monies totaling $6,121,108 for her own use.

Joseph of Main Street, Hopetown, West Coast Berbice, appeared at the Mahaicony Magistrate’s Court before her Magistrate Marissa Mittleholzer where the charges were read to her.

She was not required to plea and was granted bail in the sum of $10,000 per charge, a total sum of $140,000.

She was represented by attorneys Nigel Hughes and Roysdale Forde.

The matter was adjourned to January 11, 2023, for statements and June 7, 2023 for the commencement of the Preliminary Inquiry.

According to SOCU, it found that Joseph, without authority, solely approved 14 transactions amounting to $6,121,108, without the Board’s knowledge and approval between 1st June 2016 and August 2016.

SOCU said the money was used for her benefits and other purposes other than that of MARDS’S business.

On completion of the investigation, a file was prepared and sent to the DPP’s Chambers for legal advice, and based on that advice, Joseph was invited to SOCU on December 9 where the 14 allegations of “Fraudulent Appropriation of Property of Body Corporate” were put to her.